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Roster turnover leaves Triple-A Memphis shorthanded

Roster turnover leaves Triple-A Memphis shorthanded

CHICAGO -- The bevy of roster moves the Cardinals have made over the past few weeks has had a residual effect on Triple-A Memphis, which has been left to do all sorts of reshuffling, itself.

The organization's priority isn't to win in Triple-A, but Memphis nonetheless remains in the Pacific Coast League playoff hunt. Despite having had 124 roster moves in 128 games this season, Memphis sits just four games behind division-leading Omaha entering Sunday. Nineteen players have made 43 trips between Memphis and St. Louis this season.

"It's been an adventure down there in Triple-A, at least from a rotation standpoint," said Tyler Lyons, the latest pitcher to join the big league club. "People have been just bouncing all over the place."

The rotation has been most affected lately with starters Michael Wacha and Lyons joining the Cardinals' bullpen. Carlos Martinez was up for a few days, too. Martinez has since returned to Triple-A, and director of Minor League operations John Vuch said that left-hander Nick Greenwood will permanently fill the other void in a rotation that is then rounded out by Scott McGregor, Nick Additon and Boone Whiting.

Additon is one of only three players to be active on Memphis' roster all season.

On Saturday, right-hander Eric Fornataro had to step in to make a spot start. It was the first of his 36 season appearances not to come in relief. Fornataro, one of five pitchers to appear in the game, allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in two innings. Memphis lost, 5-4, and has now dropped five straight.